Dili, February 12, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The victim’s family held a press conference regarding the case that went viral on social media, four PNTL members committed physical violence against a resident from Viqueque.
According to spokesman Sabino Hornai de Carvalho, today the victim’s family held a press conference in front of journalists regarding the video that went viral on social media regarding the criminal act committed by four PNTL members against Lourenço Gusmão, the victim, on the side of the road.
“The victim’s family would like to convey that in our RDTL constitution it is written in article 29 about the “Right to Life”, which in paragraph 1, Do not take someone’s life, paragraph 2 The state recognizes and guarantees the right to life and in paragraph 3 In RDTL there is no death penalty. From this article we as the victim’s family understand that everyone has the right to life, therefore the actions taken by the four PNTL members from Viqueque against this citizen are contrary to the principles of human rights.” Said Sabion Hornai de Carvalho
He continued in another article in the RDTL Constitution in article 31 concerning “Implementing Criminal Law”, especially in line 3 it states, “Do not provide criminal security measures to someone when they commit a crime, while the act has not been regulated by law” from this article and this line.
“We as the victim’s family understand that when a citizen commits a crime, PNTL as National Security for the country and the population does not provide criminal security measures to citizens who commit crimes when that attitude is not yet written in the law, therefore the actions taken by PNTL from Viqueque, we as a family consider this not a professional action but as a criminal or thug action.” He said.
He emphasized that in Law Number 43 of 2011 concerning the Regime for the Use of Violence, the actions taken by the PNTL members from Viqueque in this case were the actions of someone who must follow the law because the Law has determined under what circumstances or situations the same violence can be used, using tear gas, batons, and firearms.
“The action carried out by the four PNTL members was to beat one person together who did not pose a threat and did not create a dangerous situation for them, if for example the person ran away or fought the police but the police had the correct mechanism not to beat the person, therefore we as the victim’s family consider it an incorrect action or an act of banditry.” He continued.
He informed that the victim was the seventh younger sibling of the Guerileiru Eugenio Gomes with the code “LORIKU” who died in battle and until now his body that was left behind has not been evacuated in its entirety, so the victim’s family reported that there were individuals who commented on the video that went viral on social media that the victim was a child or generation of the Militia and did not want independence, which is not true.
“We as the victim’s family do not agree with the clarification of the chronology of the case to the public from the Police Commissioner General who stated that the victim’s family had apologized to PNTL Viqueque, we consider this information to be incorrect. The victim’s family has met with the Commander of PNTL Viqueque on the grounds that the victim is mentally ill so that he can be released immediately for treatment.” He said.
He said that the victim’s family did not agree and rejected the clarification from Kompol PNTL that in the incident the victim was carrying a sharp weapon which was considered to violate criminal law and Law Number 5 of 2017, but in reality this was not the case.
“We as a family want to convey the truth that the victim did not carry a sharp weapon, but on the back seat of his motorbike was tied a small bag containing the key and always carried by the victim, because he is a motorbike mechanic. We must be honest with each other and swear by this country, because this country is sacred, we bought it with blood and bones, we speak honestly, don’t add more.” He added.
He said that from this press conference, the victim’s family wanted to convey to the public, government agencies and the community about the actual events of the incident.
“The victim left the house on February 6, 2025 from Uatulari, Matahoi at around 10:00 Otl with the aim of taking his children who were at school in Belia Nú. 07, Suku Matahoi, Postu-Administrativu Uatolari, but because he was mentally ill or had a disability, he could not take his children with him and finally he appeared in Viqueque without the knowledge of the family.” He said.
He stated that based on the calculations of the Uatulari family, the victim left home at around 10.00 Otl and the victim arrived in Viqueque at around 12.30 Otl with a duration of two and a half hours.
“This case happened to the victim based on confirmation from the family to the Viqueque Military District Commander, Mr. António Rego Fernandes, that the victim appeared in the Viqueque Police office area at 01.00 WIB after previously being threatened and stating that he would burn cars and motorbikes at the Viqueque Police barracks, but based on information from the Military District Commander who received praise and shouts from the female police, the victim was shocked and ran away,” He said.
He said that finally the police officers chased him with a public transport vehicle and found him in the Buanurak area in Ossu, arrested him and committed violence against the victim based on a video that went viral on social media and the police officers immediately detained the victim in the Viqueque villa prison for one night after being released on February 7, 2025 at 09:00 Otl and his family took him to the Viquequq Hospital for medical treatment.
To further explained that asking PDHJ to conduct an investigation into the case of four PNTL members who attacked the victim on the side of the road. Therefore, asking the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the National Parliament from Commission B and the Ministry of Home Affairs to be responsible to the Commander-in-Chief, investigate and process those who committed crimes rather than relying on the reputation of State Institutions. The victim’s family continues to ask the judicial institution, independent parties and NGOs to actively accompany this case until it is resolved.
Reported by : Nelfiano
Picture by : Nelfiano